Virgin coconut oil, the newest "miracle" product from the Philippine coconut industry, is set to invade the United States.

Virgin coconut oil producers in the country wait in anticipation of the successful participation of their products in the 2006 Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, California on March 24-26.

Virgin coconut oil takes a bow before a new and promising audience, focusing on the potential and competitiveness of Philippine VCO in the international market.

Viviendo Phil. Inc. and Prosource Int'l. are representing the VCO industry in the expo.

They will join the Philippine delegation composed of six companies, all makers of natural and organic products. The Philippine delegation's participation is organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM).

CITEM's participation in past Natural Products Expos made remarkable achievements. Target sales were reached and participating exported/producers have gained business contacts and networked with foreign buyers.

This year's participation also aims to focus on products with promising potential and competitive advantage in the international market, such as VCO, Banana Plus, Enduranz, VCO-based and other personal care products, Nutrigreen teas and capsules, Fitrum, Liveraide, and Mega Sardines.

Viviendo Phils., Inc. manufactures the Cold Processed-A No Heat (ANH) VCO and ANHVCO-based natural personal care products. Viviendo, the strongest advocate for ANH-VCO, will represent the almost 40 producers of the ANH-VCO in the country today. Prosource, makers and traders of traditionally processed VCO, will represent VCO producers following the fermentation with heat process.

These are now almost 300 manufacturers of VCO in the country, following four different processes: Cold Process0A No Heat (ANH-VCO) method; Traditional, which is heated / cooked method; Centrifuge, using the centrifuge machine with the aid of a vacuum evaporator; and the Expelling method that uses the expeller press or also called the dry process or desiccated coconut method.

Natural Products Expo West (NPEW), the largest natural products trade show in the US, has been attracting the world's most influential natural and organic products audience. Organic produce and natural products ranging from wine to food supplement and to personal care will be displayed and sampled.

Last year's event was attended by 37,000 retailers and manufacturers from 80 countries.

NPEW will definitely provide a venue for the formal debut of Philippine VCO in the international organic and natural market. It will also help the Philippine VCO producers assess the market acceptability of Philippine VCO in terms of quality and in terms of the most acceptable VCO process, price, packaging, functions, among others.

It will likewise enable participants to observe product trends, competitor activities and latest production innovations, as well as open a wider and bigger market potential for Philippine VCO.